Victor Lindelof has branded Harry Maguire "a fantastic player" and praised the Englishman's performance in Manchester United's 3-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Both players have lost their regular starting roles this season, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez forming a strong partnership in the middle of the back four during the 2022-23 campaign.
Luke Shaw has also played as a centre-back since the action resumed following the World Cup, with Lindelof and Maguire both suffering with illness.
The duo are now back available, though, and they were given the nod against Bournemouth on Tuesday evening, with Casemiro, Shaw and Marcus Rashford netting in a three-goal success.
"It is nice to be back. It's always nice to get some minutes in the legs and to help the team get the three points. It felt good physically and, obviously, I have played a lot of games with 'H' [Harry Maguire] so I thought he worked well today," Lindelof told MUTV.
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"We played a lot of games together and I think he is a fantastic player and he performed at a very high level today.
"It is always great to score some goals and keep a clean sheet. I think we made it a little bit difficult towards the end, we could have controlled the game a little bit better. But we kept a clean sheet and won the game, so that is most important.
"I think it is very important to have a squad. Because like you said, the games are coming thick and fast now so we need everyone to be ready to go out there and perform.
"That's just what we need. Of course, the best thing in football is to play games. And when the games are coming thick and fast, it is the best thing."
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Man United will be aiming to book their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup when they welcome Everton to Old Trafford on Friday night.
Erik ten Hag's side will then host Charlton Athletic in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup on Tuesday before returning to Premier League action against Manchester City on January 14.
Varane was an unused substitute in the clash with Bournemouth, but he featured against Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers after returning from the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Martinez, who helped Argentina win the trophy in Qatar, played the final two minutes of the success over the Cherries on Tuesday night.
Matt Law
